SPRING TWP., Pa. — A busy road, a 14-year-old on a motorized scooter and a crash that sent him to the hospital.
“There was a minor, a 14-year-old male, who was driving what we believe to be a motor scooter down the roadway, and there was a vehicle that was attempting to turn onto Spohn Road and then struck the child on the motor scooter,” Spring Township Police Chief Stephen Brock said.
Brock says his injuries are serious, but not life-threatening. However, the police chief adds this isn’t the first time something like this has happened around here.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in the traffic of these various types of electronic motorized devices, as well as complaints and safety issues,” Brock said.
Now, the issue is getting attention in Harrisburg.
State Representative Joe McAndrew is preparing legislation that would restrict e-bikes and e-scooters on higher-speed state roads unless they’re specifically allowed.
“This bill is about making sure that e-bikes and scooters are not being used in high-speed corridors inappropriately. And the main reason we are doing that is for the safety of the individual,” McAndrew said.
His proposal would also keep anyone under 16 from riding e-scooters on state highways.
Representative McAndrew has not introduced legislation yet. He says he’s finalizing the language and looking for support from other lawmakers.
“Kids, they’re not trained in them. It’s not like when you’re driving a motor vehicle, or you get a motorcycle license, and you have to actually pass a test and go through a safety course. They just get them, and they go,” Brock said.
Police say this is why they want parents paying attention, or maybe even doing some research before buying these scooters.